10 luxury family and dog-friendly UK holidays

Seven years ago we started our family with a furry baby. I know. You shouldn’t humanise dogs and honestly, we don’t. However, when it comes to travel we always have Tin Box Dog in mind just as we do our kids. If we’re going abroad we have to make arrangements for her to stay with relatives and if we’re staying closer to home we search for family and dog-friendly UK holidays.

The latter is often more complicated than it sounds. Many resorts and holiday providers welcome families but only offer lower grade accommodation for those with dogs. Other high-end places love four-legged friends, but would rather you didn’t bring the kids. Finding luxury family and dog friendly holidays in the UK can be laborious.

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However, times are changing. Holiday providers are starting to come on board with the trend for holidaymakers wanting to bring along their pets. VisitScotland, for example, has noticed there are 95 per cent more searches for ‘pet-friendly’ holidays on its website than there are for ‘romantic’ getaways.

If you are in the same position as us – wanting to holiday with your children and pet without slumming it – I’ve been doing some research. Here are my suggestions for top-notch places to stay that will be a hit with your whole family. Scroll to the end for some tried and tested family and dog-friendly holidays as recommended by us!

Luxury family and dog-friendly UK holidays

Luxury family holidays in Scotland at The Four Seasons Hotel, Perthshire

You can find The Four Seasons Hotel on the banks of Loch Earn in St Fillans – a wonderful area for walking. The restaurant is two AA Rosette award winning and serves contemporary Scottish cuisine. Families with dogs are welcome in the main hotel or its six secluded chalets. I particularly like the look of these little log cabins in the woods which come with all the mod-cons of a hotel as well as baby monitoring. Children under three stay for free and kids aged three to 11-years-old are charged half price for bed and breakfast.

Dog-friendly features: a pet concierge, pet menu, walking and grooming services. Book The Four Seasons Hotel*.

Luxury family holiday parks – Dream Lodge Woodlands Park, East Sussex

This collection of luxury lodges is surrounded by fields and woodlands as the name would suggest. Families and pets can luxuriate in the park’s Deluxe range of lodges which include state of the art kitchens, a free-standing bath, outdoor seating and a hot tub. Between the bath and tub I think I’d be going very wrinkly. Visit in Spring and you can take a wander through the park’s very own bluebell area. The Dream Lodge Group also has dog-friendly lodges in Berkshire, Cornwall, Cambridge, Devon, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.

Dog-friendly features: great location for dogs to explore. www.dreamlodgeholidays.co.uk

Dog and child-friendly holidays at Forest Holidays Cropton, North Yorkshire

If you’re looking for more luxury family holiday parks in the UK then take a look at Forest Holidays. The luxury cabins here are set in a glorious woodland meadow, deep in the heart of Cropton Forest. Not only are the North York Moors on the doorstep, walkies can literally start right at your cabin door. The top spec Golden Oak cabins come with fluffy robes, a hot tub, an en-suite in the master bedroom, under-floor heating and eco-friendly toiletries. You can even book in-cabin spa treatments. Forest Holidays have dog-friendly cabins in Forestry Commission owned woodland in nine locations across Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire and Scotland.

Dog-friendly features: dog biscuit on arrival, endless walks, up to four dogs in a cabin. Dogs stay for £10 per night. www.forestholidays.co.uk

A city break with kids and dogs at Old Town Chambers, Edinburgh

These luxury apartments are set in a medieval close off the world-famous Royal Mile and are a short walk from the Princes Street Gardens, with access to plenty of walks. Everything about these serviced apartments is five star, from the beautifully styled interiors to the drench showers and GHDs available from reception. You can also order Valvona & Crolla breakfast and dine in boxes if you don’t fancy catering for yourself.

Dog-friendly features: dog bedding, ‘poop bags’ and doggy treats. Book the Old Town Chambers*. 

Dog-friendly activity holidays at Llandeilo Cottage, Llandeilo

This characterful converted cart house is one of many dog-friendly luxury holiday lets available through Snaptrip, which specialises in last minute cottages. This two bedroom property can accommodate up to six people and boasts exposed beams, a farm house style kitchen and stunning views. Close by there’s two beautiful beaches and the Brecon Beacons for stretching dog and human legs. Features to keep the whole family cosy and happy include a wood burning stove, wifi, all the mod cons and 3/4 of an acre of natural woodland grounds. Snaptrip has properties across the UK.

Dog-friendly features: large enclosed lawn, plenty of nearby walks. www.snaptrip.com

A dog and family-friendly hotel – Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens, Hampshire

This historic hotel welcomes children and pets with dedicated garden rooms and activities aimed at families during the school holidays. Kids receive a goody bag with games, duck food and a soft toy.  Each room comes with an Espresso machine, Molton Brown toiletries and wifi. There’s also indoor and outdoor pools, complimentary bike hire and a babysitting service. The treasure hunts in the hotel grounds sound like a lot of fun.

Dog-friendly features: maps of walking trails, healthy meals from non-GM and additive free Arden Grange pet foods, dog baskets, blankets, a bowl and chewy toy. Dogs stay for £25 per night. Book Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens.

Luxury family weekend breaks at Hallmark Stourport Manor, Worcestershire

This Victorian country house hotel overlooks Stourport-on-Severn. The family rooms have recently been given a facelift and can accommodate up to two adults and two children. Stourport Manor offers families use of an indoor swimming pool, wifi and 23 acres of grounds. It’s also close to some of the Midlands’ top family attractions like West Midlands Sarafi Park and Severn Valley Steam Railway. Zoos and railways are always a hit with our girls. Hallmark offers a collection of 28 hotels across the UK.

Dog-friendly features: a personalised card and welcome pack including dog treats, paw mat, a dog bowl, towel and map of walks around the hotel grounds and nearby. Dogs stay for £15 per night. www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk

Baby and dog-friendly holidays at Higher Wiscombe, Devon

This award-winning set of three converted barn cottages are located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just four miles from the spectacular Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and The South West Coast Path. There are also beaches close by at Beer, Branscombe and Sidmouth. The cottages are stylish and comfortable with Egyptian cotton sheets, 6’ wide double beds and under floor heating. On site there’s a games room and an outdoor heated pool which you can book for exclusive use. One barn also comes with its own cinema room – perfect for family movie nights! Baby equipment is also available. Premier Cottages has properties across the UK and Ireland.

Dog-friendly features: sofa throws, poop bins & bags, dog cages, beds, treats, bowls and even a free Dicky bag to store the poo bags in when out walking www.premiercottages.co.uk

Antonine Wall Cottages, Argyll

These two stylish cottages have been converted from a listed 1820’s stable block just seven miles from Stirling. Each cottage has its own private fenced area amongst the five acres of secluded grounds to keep pets safe. Human guests can enjoy the hot tub, Netflix and shared play area for children. There’s also a swimming pool. Dogs, cats, hamsters and other pets are all welcome. Embrace Scotland lists more than 2,500 properties.

Dog-friendly features: water bowl, suitable disposal equipment (poop bags), a pet welcome snack, as well as designated pet towels, throws and vet details. Book Antonine Wall Cottages*. 

A family and dog-friendly hotel – The Victoria Inn, Norfolk

The traditionally styled Victoria is part of the Holkham Hall Estate. It’s renowned for its wonderful locally sourced food and offers a children’s menu or smaller portions of the adult meals for the more adventurous. Doggy visitors will love that it is only a short stroll to the golden sands of Holkham Beach and the Kennel Club award-winning Beach Café which has a Wash ‘n’ Wag dog wash for sandy pooches. The Victoria offers a spacious two bedroom attic for families with pets. Dogs are also welcome in the rest of the rooms in the main building.

Dog-friendly features: pets are given treats and their own comfy bed. www.holkham.co.uk/stay-eat/the-victoria-inn

Search for more dog-friendly holidays for families on Booking.com*.

Booking.com

Tried and tested: the best dog-friendly holidays UK

We’re been adding to our reviews of the best dog-friendly holidays in the UK. Here’s a few you might like to check out with your kids and hound:

• Bryn Parc, The Mumbles, Wales
• Seaview Goran Haven Holiday Park, Cornwall
• Hendra Holiday Park, Cornwall
• Bosinver Farm, Cornwall
• St Ives Holiday Park, Cornwall
• Darwin Forest County Park, Peak District
• Andrewshayes Holiday Park, Devon
• Ladram Bay, Devon
• Woodovis Park, Devon
• The Moorland Garden Hotel, Devon
• The Grand Hotel, Devon
• Ross Park Caravan Park, Devon
• Western Meadows Glamping, Cornwall
• Manor Farm Caravan and Camping Park, Devon
• Strawfields campsite, Devon

If you’d like to try some dog-friendly holidays in France Dais Like These has some personal recommendations for you.

Do you have a favourite spot to holiday with your pet? If so, I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links marked with a *. If you click on these I may earn some commission on any purchases you make. This does not affect the price you pay. Main image courtesy of Forest Holidays. All others as attributed.

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